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WASHINGTON TRUST BANCORP INC (WASH)·Q2 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q2 2025 delivered solid sequential improvement: net income rose to $13.2M ($0.68 diluted EPS) from $12.2M ($0.63) in Q1; NIM expanded 7 bps to 2.36% as funding costs eased and mix improved .
- Against S&P Global consensus, EPS beat by ~$0.05 ($0.68 vs $0.63*), while revenue was a slight miss ($53.7M* vs $54.1M*); management expects only “a couple bps” more NIM expansion in Q3 amid still-elevated deposit costs .
- Fee engines improved: wealth management revenue up 2% QoQ with AUA up 5% to $7.18B (market gains offsetting net outflows), and mortgage banking revenue up 32% with $116.8M loans sold .
- Credit metrics remain manageable: NPLs rose to 0.51% (one $9.4M C&I placed on nonaccrual), but ACL coverage of NPLs is 157% and net charge-offs fell to $0.65M; provision declined to $0.6M .
- Strategic/catalyst items: dividend maintained at $0.56, in-market deposits +9% YoY, brokered deposits cut to $2M, FHLB up (balancing function); buybacks paused after a one-day $10K repurchase as the team prioritizes capital build .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Net interest margin and NII improved: NIM +7 bps to 2.36% and NII +2% QoQ to $37.2M, aided by 7 bps lower cost of interest-bearing liabilities (3.12%) and reduced wholesale funding balances .
- Fee momentum: wealth management revenue +2% QoQ with AUA +5% QoQ to $7.18B; mortgage banking revenue +32% QoQ on $116.8M loans sold; swap income increased to $0.68M .
- Management tone on NIM and deposit costs: “expecting a pretty modest expansion… maybe only a couple of basis points” and “we will aggressively reprice deposits down… if the Fed indeed does start to cut,” highlighting reduced liability sensitivity vs last fall .
What Went Wrong
- Credit watch items: Nonaccruals rose to 0.51% of loans (from 0.42%) mainly due to a
$9.4M C&I relationship moving to nonaccrual; management cited a broadband contractor bankruptcy within a syndicate exposure ($11M potential), with resolution expected at least partially this year . - Past dues ticked up to 0.27% of loans (from 0.20%); office CRE remains challenged—one Class B office resolved with a reasonable loss, another is 50% vacant and under watch .
- Wealth AUA still experiences net outflows (13 consecutive quarters noted by an analyst); management is adding talent, finished a wealth core system conversion, and may pursue small, RI-focused wealth M&A to improve net flows .
Financial Results
Core results (GAAP)
Balance sheet and credit
Fee & activity KPIs
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We realized growth in net interest income, wealth management revenue, and mortgage banking revenue, and we continued to build capital. This was a solid quarter with loan and deposit growth on target.” – CEO Ned Handy .
- “For the third quarter… expecting a pretty modest expansion in the margin, maybe only a couple of basis points… we will aggressively reprice our deposits down… if the Fed indeed does start to cut.” – CFO Ron Ohsberg .
- On wealth management strategy and net outflows: “We’ve added some talent… finished the conversion of our core wealth management system… small M&A activity primarily in the Rhode Island marketplace… There’s no silver bullet.” – CEO Ned Handy .
- On credit uptick: “This is a potential $11 million exposure to a broadband infrastructure contractor… largest customer backed out… Chapter 11… we have appropriate specific reserves; expect at least partial resolution this year.” – Chief Risk Officer Bill Wray .
- On capital return: “We actually did initiate [buybacks] for a single day and then decided that we’re more focused on operations… our capital’s fine, and we think we’d like to have a little bit more.” – CFO Ron Ohsberg .
Q&A Highlights
- NIM outlook: Management expects only slight NIM expansion in Q3 given deposit cost dynamics and lower liability sensitivity than last fall; intention to reprice deposits lower if Fed cuts, managing attrition risk .
- Mortgage mix and pipeline: ~75–80% purchase-driven; saleable mostly 30‑yr fixed; portfolio production largely 7/1 hybrid ARMs; pipeline $102M at June 30, up 7% QoQ .
- Loan growth: Pipeline “close to $145M” with balanced C&I/CRE; management maintains low single‑digit growth for 2025 .
- Credit specifics: C&I nonaccrual relates to a contractor bankruptcy; office CRE—one Class B resolved at a reasonable loss, another ~50% vacant and under watch; lab project leasing progressing (50%→62% with LOI to ~70%) .
- Capital actions: One planned de novo branch in mid‑2026; buyback paused to support capital; small wealth M&A considered in RI .
Estimates Context
Notes: Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Interpretation: Q2 2025 EPS beat ($0.05); revenue was a marginal miss ($0.4M). Q1 2025 had a revenue beat vs a low base, and Q4 2024 S&P “actual revenue” reflects GAAP losses in noninterest income that quarter.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- EPS beat with modest NIM tailwind: sequential NIM expansion and disciplined funding lowered cost of interest‑bearing liabilities; management guides only slight further NIM gains near term .
- Core deposit strength and liquidity: in‑market deposits +9% YoY; brokered deposits down to $2M; contingent liquidity at $1.78B (165% of uninsured excl. preferred) underpin funding resilience .
- Fees re‑accelerate: wealth revenues and AUA benefited from markets; mortgage revenues up 32% QoQ on higher sales into the secondary market—helpful to offset NII constraints .
- Credit manageable but watch list matters: higher NPLs driven by a single C&I case; office CRE still mixed; strong ACL/NPL coverage (157%) and lower net charge‑offs mitigate risk .
- Capital return conservative: dividend maintained; buyback paused to build capital—signals prudence while credit and margin trajectory solidify .
- Near‑term trading lens: EPS beat vs slight revenue miss and cautious NIM guide may temper upside; stock likely most sensitive to deposit repricing pace, fee trajectory, and credit headlines (C&I resolution, office CRE updates) .
- Medium‑term thesis: Ongoing pivot to core deposits, gradual NIM normalization, and fee growth (wealth + mortgage) can drive ROE improvement; small wealth M&A and de novo branch add optionality .
Additional Detail and Cross-References
- Press release highlights include NIM 2.36%, provision $0.6M, wealth revenue +2% QoQ, mortgage revenue +32% QoQ, loans +1% QoQ, in‑market deposits +1% QoQ/+9% YoY, and dividend $0.56/share .
- Income statement and ratios confirm improved NIM and efficiency (67.3%) and diluted EPS $0.68 for Q2 2025; prior-year comps included for trajectory .
- Credit tables show NPL ratio 0.51%, PD ratio 0.27%, ACL/loans 0.80%, ACL/NPL 157%; net charge‑offs $0.65M in Q2 vs $2.30M in Q1 .
All document-based figures are cited above. EPS/revenue consensus and S&P “actual” values are marked with an asterisk and were retrieved from S&P Global.*